JOB/AG/239  
 
28 February 2023  
(23-1376) Page: 1/5 
Committee on Agriculture  
Special Session    
 
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE IN SPECIAL SESSION (COA -SS) 
27 FEBRUARY  2023 
Oral Report by the Chairperson, Ambassador Alparslan  Acarsoy  
Introduction and report on consultations  
1.  I welcome delegations to this informal open -ended meeting of the Committee on Agriculture in 
Special Session. This is our first informal open -ended meeting since my election as Chair on 
27 January  2023. 
2.  Let me take this opportunity to warmly thank all Members for the trust you have put in me.  
3.  I will do my utmost to meri t this trust. As we move ahead, I will be constantly guided by the 
principles of respect, fairness, inclusiveness, and transparency. I will listen attentively to each and 
every one of you, and seek to build trust among you.  
4.  As indicated in my convening mes sage circulated on 16 February, the main purpose of this 
meeting is to report on the consultations I have held since my election as Chair.  
5.  I will then conclude with some initial reflections before opening the floor to give you the 
opportunity to react and  exchange views on the way forward, including your expectations for MC13 
and possible new approaches to achieve progress in ways that deliver on your goals.  
6.  I am also fully aware that some topics covered within the CoA Special Session are considered in 
dedicated settings. However, as indicated in my convening message, my intention in this first 
CoA Special Session is to focus on the way forward - and not to engage in a topic -by-topic discussion. 
This meeting should therefore exceptionally be considered as a joint meeting with the Dedicated 
Sessions on Public Stockholding for Food Security Purposes  (PSH)  and on the Special Safeguard 
Mechanism.  
7.  Let me now report on my consultations.  
8.  All together I have held 37 meetings with Members and Group Coordinators.  
9.  This number is a clear indication that Members attach a lot of importance to trade in food and 
agriculture and are fully engaged in the negotiating process.  
10.  In my message circulated on 31 January 2023, I invited Members to express their views on:  
 - the priorities in the negotiations and objectives for MC13; and  
 - possible new approaches of work to overcome the current deadlock in the negotiations, 
 taking into account lessons learned from the past negotiating processes.  JOB/AG/239  
 
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  Goals and priorities in the negotiations  
11.  On substance, most Members stressed the central role of food security in the negotiations, 
especially given the present crisis.  
12.  In this context, some Members made reference to the specific needs of LDCs and net 
food-importing developing count ries and the ongoing Work Programme under the Committee on 
Agriculture pursuant to paragraph 8 of the MC12 declaration on the emergency response to food 
insecurity.  
13.  It was also noted by some Members that food security had to be considered in light of new 
challenges such as climate change and the need to move towards a more resilient and sustainable 
food and agriculture system.  
14.  However, Members expressed different views on how various trade measures may influence 
food security.  
15.  It is because of this emphasis  on food security that I invited Members in my convening message 
to express more specifically today their views on how this issue could be best addressed in the 
coming months in the agriculture negotiations.  
16.  The importance of environmental sustainability i s widely recogni zed by Members, including the 
need to address challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, land and water management. 
However, several Members considered that the agriculture negotiations are not the appropriate track 
to address th ese broad cross -cutting issues and noted that they are already discussed in other WTO 
fora, as well as outside the organi zation.  
17.  Several Members also warned that, if these issues are brought to the negotiating table, this 
should not become a pretext to int roduce new trade and production distortions.  
18.  For these Members, environmental sustainability and food security should be considered as 
being coherent with the reform process and long -term objective of substantial progressive reductions 
in support and prote ction pursuant to Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture . 
19.  In the words of some Members, it was necessary to balance the three narratives - food security, 
sustainability and trade reform.  
20.  For some Members, political guidance on these topics would be re quired, along with preliminary 
work to raise awareness, with a view to properly preparing the ground and avoiding distrust.  
21.  Some Members also stressed that while Members could and should negotiate on how to move 
forward in the reform process, going backwar ds should not be an option.  
22.  Priorities regarding the "classical" topics under negotiation remain broadly the same as they 
have before the last two ministerial conferences.  
23.  Many Members continue to see domestic support as the priority issue, but views conti nue to 
diverge on how to make progress. Levelling the playing field remains the priority for many Members, 
while others emphasi ze the need to reduce actual levels of trade -distorting domestic support in a 
balanced way. Views also continue to differ on how to address Green Box support, while several 
developing countries reiterated the importance of support allowed under Article 6.2 of the Agreement 
on Agriculture.  
24.  Improving market access remains a priority for some Members, with some in particular seeking 
to ensure balance with whatever outcome may be achieved in the area of domestic support. Some 
other Members consider that this pillar should be addressed after domestic support, or that it has 
little chance of resulting in any substantive progress.  
25.  Cotton was identified as a long overdue high priority topic by the C4 and several other Members.  JOB/AG/239  
 
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  26.  Public stockholding for food security purposes, and the proposed "Special Safeguard 
Mechanism", also remain high on the agenda for the proponents of these topics. On public 
stockholding, the proponents made reference to the proposal submitted by the ACP, African Group 
and G33 Members before MC12. Several other Members stressed their concern regarding possible 
distorting effects, especially if stocks are exported.  
27.  Expor t restrictions are seen as a priority by several net food -importing Members. In particular, 
LDCs and Net Food -Importing Developing Countries are requesting that their imports of basic 
foodstuffs be exempted from such measures by net food exporters.  
28.  Several Members reiterated the importance of enhanced transparency.  
29.  Several developing country Members again emphasized that special and differential treatment 
should be an integral part of the negotiations. Some Members also called for a specif ic focus on how 
to address the specific vulnerabilities of LDCs and other vulnerable developing countries when faced 
with external shocks - such as the one associated with the COVID -19 pandemic.  
30.  Some other Members referred to the need to take into account  non-trade concerns.  
31.  Finally, several Members made the case that the classical "topic -by-topic" approach adopted in 
recent years has not yielded any results. These Members therefore called for creative thinking, a 
"reset" of the negotiating process, or a n ew negotiating frame based on an updated assessment of 
existing challenges faced by the food and agriculture system in order for negotiations to contribute 
to a meaningful update of the WTO rulebook.  
Objectives for MC13  
32.  Members emphasized the importance of achieving an outcome on food and agriculture at MC13. 
Some expressed the view that the lack of an outcome at MC13 would be a systemic failure.  
33.  This being said, many Members made the case that, with only one year to go, MC13 will not be 
the en d of the negotiating process - but that it should nevertheless constitute a significant step 
forward.  
34.  Some Members cautioned against the temptation to harbour unrealistic expectations for what 
could be politically achievable by MC13.  
35.  Many Members stresse d the need to ensure a balanced and fair package at the Ministerial 
Conference.  
36.  For several Members, MC13 should constitute a "way point" in the process. For some, a post -
MC13 work programme could constitute a possible outcome on some topics, while others  insisted 
on the need for specificity and a process that would build negotiating "modalities" by MC13.  
37.  In this regard, some Members noted that the incremental approach used on previous occasions 
had not been successful, and that Members should have ambitio us goals.  
38.  Some Members emphasized that a package on food security and livelihoods was within reach. 
For some, a permanent solution on PSH should be the core of such an outcome. Others, however, 
stressed that an effective response to food security could  not be limited only to a debate on PSH. 
For some Members, an emergency outcome on food security at MC13 could focus on the specific 
needs of LDCs and Net Food -Importing Developing Countries.  
39.  Progress on enhancing transparency was also mentioned by some Membe rs as a realistic 
component of an outcome at MC13.  
Process forward  
40.  In all my consultations, I asked delegations at the outset whether they could agree to say "no 
to no" - by which I meant whether they stand ready to engage with one another with an open min d 
and in a constructive spirit, and not summarily dismiss any topic of interest to other Members.  JOB/AG/239  
 
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  41.  I am happy to report that virtually all delegations expressed their readiness to say "no to no". 
In my view, this constitutes a good basis for us to engage i n the negotiations - and hopefully also 
be in a position to say "yes" in a year from now.  
42.  Some Members also suggested considering innovative approaches, such as retreats, to 
stimulate informal exchanges without prepared statements and bring renewed impetus  to the 
negotiations. They also proposed holding evidence -based seminars, with inputs by external experts, 
to inform the negotiations.  
43.  Many Members emphasized the critical importance of inclusiveness, transparency and building 
trust.  
44.  Some Members, while a cknowledging the role of small group consultations, stressed the need 
to keep the process fair, open and inclusive by ensuring balanced participation and keeping all 
Members well informed about any such small -group meetings.  
45.  It was also noted that the time table of meetings should give due consideration to the constraints 
faced by small delegations, as well as the need for Groups and Members to work and to consult each 
other in between meetings led by the Chair.  
46.  Some Members also emphasi zed the importance of  Ministers providing guidance as our process 
moves along.  
47.  Lastly, many Members emphasi zed that they had to engage and negotiate with one another, 
and that the Chair could only facilitate this process.  
Main conclusions and Chair's considerations on the way forward  
48.  Let me now conclude this report with some considerations on the way forward.  
49.  We only have one year until the WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference is held in Abu Dhabi, next 
February.  
50.  When looking back at the past 23 years of negotiations on agricultu re, this is very little time.  
51.  We will need to roll up our sleeves and get down to work.  
52.  We will need to build on the concrete outcomes of the 12th Ministerial Conference in Geneva last 
June. 
53.  And we will need to be ready to demonstrate that trade in food an d farm goods can contribute 
to a sustainable, secure food future.  
54.  The good news is that Ministers have expressed their strong support for the task we have before 
us. 
55.  In the WTO Ministerial Declaration on Food Insecurity last June, they recogni zed the "vita l role" 
trade plays in improving food security and nutrition.  
56.  And, in the same Declaration, they expressed their determination to make progress in 
promoting sustainable agriculture and food systems, and their commitment to take "concrete steps" 
to improve  the functioning and long -term resilience of global markets for food and agriculture.  
57.  It is now our responsibility to turn these words into action.  
58.  Let us start by saying "no to no": so that ultimately we are all in a position to say "yes" together.  
59.  MC13 will not be the end of the journey. But it can constitute a significant step forward, one 
that builds on that taken at MC12.  JOB/AG/239  
 
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  60.  As already stressed in my introductory comments, I will be guided in our process forward by 
the principles of respec t, fairness, inclusiveness, and transparency; and will listen attentively to each 
and every one of you, as I seek to build trust among you.  
61.  This process is, and will remain, Member -driven.  
62.  I will do my best to facilitate this process, but the outcome is fu lly in your hands - as many of 
you have also emphasi zed. Negotiations take place between Members, and not between Members 
and the Chair.  
63.  "Member -driven" means that proposals come from Members. But to be fruitful and not lead to 
the reiteration of endless r eiteration of well -known statements, such proposals must genuinely aim 
at narrowing the gaps between negotiating positions.  
64.  We are not starting from scratch. Extensive work has been undertaken under the leadership of 
my predecessors. And the months follow ing MC12 have not been lost either: the Director -General 
has led us in the organization of our agriculture retreat in October 2022, and groups of Members 
have begun various initiatives and processes of reflection, which I hope we will be briefed on today.  
65.  Since Members clearly expressed during the consultations that they would like this process to 
be Member -driven , I would request you to engage with one another including with non -proponents 
to explore the possibility of submitting future inputs and proposa ls. I believe this approach will help 
us to increase the efficiency of our process and enable us to make progress towards compromise 
options for MC13 and beyond.  
66.  On my side, I intend at this stage to keep our negotiation process agile and flexible, so as to be 
as effective as possible in supporting your efforts.  
67.  I will also do my utmost to contribute to creating the necessary conditions to build trust and 
thereby facilitate the negotiation process.  
Conclusion and way forward  
68.  This meeting has been extremely  useful and truly constituted a restart of the agriculture 
negotiations after more than six months of quasi -recess. However, the intensity of our discussions 
today has clearly shown that this time was by no means lost or wasted.  
69.  I have listened carefully t o your remarks today, which constitute very valuable guidance for our 
process as we move forward.  
70.  My intention is to hold the next CoA -SS meeting in the second half of the week of 27 March, 
after the regular Committee on Agriculture.  
71.  I have also taken good  note in my consultations, and again today, of the need expressed by 
several Members for our negotiating process to be based on evidence, as well as the importance of 
providing space for Members to have more informal exchanges with one another, such as tho se they 
had during the October agriculture retreat.  
72.  I am therefore discussing with the Secretariat the possibility of holding a couple of seminars, 
back-to-back with the March CoA -SS meeting, to support our negotiating process.  
73.  I will provide you with mo re information on these seminars in due course.  
74.  This "agriculture week", starting on 27 March, will also hopefully attract the participation of 
capital -based officials, which was something several Members requested during my consultations.  
75.  This concludes our meeting.  
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